Yankees level it up behind Burnett

The New York Yankees took game two of the World Series 3-1 to level the scores. AJ Burnett pitched a gem. In 7 seven strong innings he gave up one earned run to a Matt Stairs RBI single in the 2nd inning. The run could've been unearned as A-Rod should probably have stopped the ball and been scored an error. Burnett picthed 9 Ks and looked dominant.

Another huge free agency signing from last year's off season, Mark Teixeira hit a 440ft bomb from Pedro Martinez in the 4th inning. The Yankees spent $420m on the salaries of Teixera, Burnett and CC Sabathia. The exorbitant salary increase on the roster is looking like it is going to pay immediate dividends as all 3 performed well in the clutch this post season.

Pedro Martinez pitched pretty well for Phillies in 6+ innings giving up three earned runs. Two solo blasts were detrimental in his pitching effort. Ahead of Jay-Z and Alicia Key's performance, Pedro was jeered upon entering the playing field.

Yankees forced to Chase as Phillies take the Lee-d

Chase Utley hit two solo home runs to help the Philadephia Phillies to a 6-1 win in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series. Cliff Lee pitched a wonderful game. In nine innings of work he gave up no earned runs on six hits. He dazzled with ten strikeouts and no work, Lee looked every bit the Cy Young winner he is. The Yankees only run came unearned in the 9th from Jimmy Rollins error. Raul Ibanez excellent postseason continued with RBIs.

Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Lee, Cl (W) 9.0 6 1 0 0 10 0 0.00

CC Sabathia also looked dominant despite his worse start this postseason. He gave up two runs on just four hits. The two longballs from Utley gave the Phillies the momentum. The Yankees bullpen looked in poor shape giving up four runs in two innings. However Mariano Rivera, did not pitch

NY Yankees IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Sabathia (L) 7.0 4 2 2 3 6 2 2.57
Hughes, P 0.0 0 2 2 2 0 0 --
Marte, D 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
Robertson, D 0.1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
Bruney 0.1 3 2 2 0 0 0 54.00
Coke 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00

Pedro's big opportunity

Red Sox Nation will pulling for former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez in Game 2 of the World Series. Pedro is attempting to win his 2nd World Series after winning with the Sox on '04. Pedro pitched seven shutout innings in game 3 in 2004. Then his opponents were the St Louis Cardinals who struggled for power in that series. The same will not be expected vs A-Rod and the Yankees. Pedro will be hoping to get the starting berth in game 6 or 7 if it goes the distance.
After Cliff Lee's dominance in Game 1, Pedro has the opportunity to extend their new found home field advantage.

Random Pedro Martinez fact - the Boston Red Sox are the only team that Pedro Martinez is yet to record a victory against.

Its nearly World Series time!

In approximately 24 hours the World Series starts. Game 1 will probably be pitching duel. The two current Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee will on the mound at Yankee Stadium.

My prediction for Game 1 is a relatively low scoring affair with Yankees taking it. I hope I'm wrong though. And with the Yankees offense, its hard to look beyond them to win the Fall Classic. The Phillies need the heart of order to hit, players Howard, e Werth and Utley to find form like year.

Yankees make the World Series

Unfortunately for Red Sox Nation, the New York Yankees have again made the World Series. They will play the Philadelphia Phillies who attempting to create a dynasty wih back to back World Series victories. The Yanks are into the Fall Classic for the first time since 2003 when they lost to the Florida Marlins.

One would expect the Yankees to beat the Phillies as the American League has won 61 of 104 World Series. As 8/15 favourites the Yankees have home field advantage and great lineup, their power looks as if it can take it down.

The Phillies though should not be underestimated. Ryan Howard is in devastating form and their lineup should not overwhelmed against a good New York pitching staff including a dominant ace in CC Sabathia.

Now lets hope for Red Sox Nation, the Phillies can start well on October 28th at Yankees Stadium.

The Angels keep ALCS alive

The LA Angels won game 6 of the ALCS vs NYY to keep it alive at 3-2 in the best of 7 series.
Now lets hope the the Angels can win the next two games against the evil corporation, sorry the Yankees.
The next game starts on Saturday night

Game of Shadows Review

Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada have written an intense description of the recent steroid era of baseball. The investigative journalists have have attempted to reach the bottom of one worst eras in baseball history.

This book may be relatively hyperbolic but it is informative and even slightly enlightening. Game of Shadows explains how Victor Conte and his company BALCO influenced and introduced steroids to Barry Bonds and other sporting stars. For example there is in depth analysis of the reason Barry Bonds supposedly took steroids in pursuit of the Home Run record.

Williams and Fainaru-Wada are also extremely critical of Victor Conte (and rightly so). The book details this influence on Bonds as well as convicted drug cheats in athletics like Olympic superstar Marion Jones, former US sprinter Tim Montgomery and Dwain Chambers.

At times the book, though, does seem to turn into a bit of a rant which is is extremely one-sided. One has to remember that Barry Bonds, the focus of the book, has not been proven to have taken steroids. The evidence in the book is compelling and does make an interesting read.

7 out of 10

Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball

Scott Simon's book on one of sports great pioneers Jackie Robinson is an enlightening, enjoyable, easy book to read.

The importance of Jackie Robinson as the first black player to play in Major League Baseball is undeniable. "No athlete performed at a greater level through greater stress than Jackie Robinson" says Simon.

Simon's book illustrates Robinson's achievements ably. His writing style makes the book a quick read. Maybe not the most in depth analysis of Robinson's career the book is easily accessible. His analysis is mainly based on the buildup before arriving in the Majors and his pro career. The book doesn't really analyse the effects of Robinson on Civil Rights in the USA in the way that other books do.

In review an easy book to read, thorough and enjoyable.

8 out of 10

Phillies make the World Series

Well done to the Philadelphia Phillies who have again made the World Series with a 10-4 rout over the Dodgers.

Jayson Werth showed his abilities in the clutch and as per usual the Phillies hit the long ball with three home runs in the game.

Now lets hope the Angels can start a fightback tonight in Anaheim vs the Yankees.